KerPlunk!

2020 has felt a lot like playing KerPlunk. Do you remember that game as a child? “Don’t let the marbles fall!” The object of the game is to remove sticks from the tube while dropping the fewest marbles possible.

First stick pulled. Covid-19.

The second stick pulled. Shutdowns. 

Third stick pulled. Political unrest.

Fourth stick pulled...And it continues without letup. What is next?

KerPlunk! 

For me, 2020 has piled up and has been darn hard not to let the marbles fall. Across the country, everyone is at home. We are all living where we work and working where we live. As mamas during a global pandemic we are trying to please bosses or run our businesses, all while bouncing a fussy baby, chasing a toddler, and helping facilitate our older children’s educations. How many times a day are you hearing, “Mom! My Zoom session went away. I don’t know what happened. Hurry! Help!”? Not to mention the cooking, cleaning, and regular tasks to keep our households running.

KerPlunk! As I gaze toward the fallen marbles, I see myself and my self-care. That is what has fallen. 

Yesterday was a rough day. As my one year old napped, I handed my six-year-old the iPad to listen to an audio book and retreated to my bedroom. I started hanging up clothes that were piled on a chair and took deep breaths. I needed a break and reset. I felt like I was letting all the marbles drop. I had been doing all the things, yet feeling that I was failing on all fronts. I plopped down on my bed, opened up the Bible app on my phone, and started reading. 

2020 has added so many unexpected things onto our plates as mamas. And personally, with all these things, I’ve realized that I’ve become focused on doing for everyone else that I have forgotten two important things:

One - To take a step back and treasure the small moments and observe the miracles in front of me. I don’t want to let them pass me.

Two - I can’t continue to pour from an empty cup.

As we enter the last month of this insane year, I am readjusting priorities and seeking clarity. Trying to find the best ways to refill my cup so I can continue to serve my family as well as my business clients. In 2021, I hope to keep all the marbles above the sticks and skip the "KerPlunk!"